Crimping machine for standing seam roofs

ABSTRACT

A self-propelled machine which can be attached at any point along a standing seam and moved in either direction along the seam for a crimping operation.

United States Patent [191 Day et al. Nov. 20, 1973 [54] CRIMPING MACHINE FOR STANDING 2,160,336 5/1939 Maxfield 113/55 SEAM ROOFS 2,171,297 8/1939 Zahner et al. 113/55 3,015,293 1/1962 Parham 113/54 Inventorsl Donald y, Guysville, Ohio; 3,610,191 10 1971 Harris, Jr. 113 55 Charles H. Halstead, Parkersburg, W. Va.; Neil F. Huck, Lowell, Ohio [73] Assignee: Textron Inc., Providence, R.I. Primary Examiner-Richard J. Herbst Filed. Dec 11 1972 AttorneyFrederick J. Olsson [21] Appl. No.: 313,753

[52] US. Cl. 113/55 57 ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl. B2ld 39/04 [58] Field of Search ..1 13/54-58;

29/2435, 24357 24358 A self-propelled machme which can be attached at any point along a standing seam and moved in either [56] References Cited direction along the seam for a crimping operation.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 127,896 6/1872 Koons 113/55 8 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures PAIENTEDNUVZO ms 3773005. sum u 0F 6 9| lllllll "HI! PATENTEDNHY ms 3773.005

SHEET 6 OF 6 CRIMPING MACHINE FOR STANDING SEAM ROOFS This invention relates in general to preengineered metal buildings and particularly to metal buildings having metal panel roofs of the standing seam type. More specifically the invention relates to an improved machine for crimping and thereby sealing seams of such roofs.

One object of the invention is to provide a portable crimping machine which can be opened up so as to be positionable at any point along the seam, closed for locking on the seam and then driven by its own power along the seam either toward the ridge or toward the cave for the crimping operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the kind in question having a pair of crimping rollers and pairs of drive rollers respectively on opposite sides of the crimping rollers, either pair of drive rollers also acting to partially crimp the seam when such pair leads the drive rollers in the direction of machine movement.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a selfpropelled, reversible crimping machine of the kind in question a pair of out-rigger rollers for use in engaging the panels whereby to stabilize the machine on the seam.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a selfpropelled, reversible crimping machine of the kind in question mechanism to automatically stop the movement of the machine when it reaches a pre-determined distance from the edge of the seam.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a selfpropelled, reversible crimping machine of the kind in question mechanism to control the machine for a steady run along the seam or to control the machine so that it will jog or move step by step along the seam.

A preferred form of the invention will be described below taken in conjunction with the following drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the machine of the invention as mounted on the seam connecting adjacent roof panels;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view taken on the lines of 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2a is an elevational view of a seam to be crimped by the machine;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view taken along the lines 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is the bottom view of the machine in FIGS. 1

FIG. 5 is a sectional elevational view with certain parts omitted taken along the lines 5-5 of FIG. 1 illustrating the operation of the crimping rollers;

FIG. 6 is a sectional elevational view with certain parts omitted taken along the lines 6-6 of FIG. 1 and showing one set of the drive rollers in operation;

FIG. 7 is a sectional elevational view taken on the lines 7-7 of FIG. 1 and illustrating certain of the gear mechanism;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the crimping rollers of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the drive rollers of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a sectional elevational view taken along the lines 10-10 of FIG. 1 and showing the gear train for driving the rollers;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary plan view showing the relationship of the gears for driving the rollers;

FIG. 12 is a sectional elevational view showing part of the machine-stop mechanism;

FIG. 13 is a sectional elevational view of the switch bracket taken along the lines 13-13 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the lines 14-14 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 15 is a diagramatic view of the power circuit of the machine.

The machine described herein is especially suitable for crimping the seams of panels of the kind shown in co-pending application Ser.No. 313,754 filed herewith and entitled IMPROVED METAL ROOF. In FIG. I, the left hand panel 1 and the adjacent (identical) right hand panel 2 are joined along the standing seam 3. Each panel has a central web 4 and rib 5.

As noted in application Ser.No. 313,754, the sidewalls forming the seams are made so that when the adjacent walls are interfitted, the top of the seam, or crimp portion 6, (FIG. 2a) is' partially crimped. By that, a pair of overlapped flanged 7 extend outwardly at an angle from the top of the seam. In addition to the crimp portion 6, the seam has a V-shaped track portion as indicated at 8. The machine herein is mounted on the V- shaped track portion 8 and performs the final crimping operation to bring the flanges 7 down to the position indicated by the dotted lines. For full details on the roof and the panels, reference may be had to said application Ser. No. 313,754.

As shown by full lines in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the machine M is locked on the seam 3 in ready comdition for the crimping operation.

The machine has a frame, or housing, comprising housings l0 and 11 which respectively carry rollers for the crimping operation. The housing can be opened like a clam shell (see dotted linesin FIG. 2) for installing the machine at any location along the seam and for removing the machine from the seam. The housing can be closed (as shown in the full lines) and this engages the rollers with the seam and locks the machine in condition for the crimping operation. The machine has a reversible drive so that it can go either toward the cave or toward the ridge.

The housings 10 and 11 are hollow and are connected by the pivots 12 and 13 which provide for the housings to be relatively rotatable as between the open and closed positions (FIG. 2). Normally, the housing 11 is moved relative to the housing 10. The manner in which this is done is described following:

The housing 11 has a pair of vertical standards 14 and 15 which at the top ends respectively carry the pivots 16 and 17. The pivots l6 and 17 mount the L- shaped control links 20 and 21 which are connected at the top by a handle 22. The handle is adapted to be gripped and moved by the operator for causing rotation of the housing 11.

The control links 20 and 21 have pivotal connections 23 and 24 with the drive links 25 and 26 which in turn have pivotal connections 30 and 31 with the housing 1 1. As noted in FIG. 2, a stop 32 on the link 21 engages the link 26 in the closed position. The link 20 has a similar stop.

If the handle 22 is rotated counter-clockwise (FIG. 2), the control links 20 and 21 and drive links 25 and 26 rotate to the positions shown by the dotted lines and carry the housing 11 to the open position. In the open position, a stop 33 on the control link 21 engages the drive link 26 as indicated. A similar stop is on link 20.

In the closed position, the axes of the pivots 23 and 24 between the control links and the drive links are slightly offset from a plane containing the axes of the pivots 16-17 and 30 and 31. This toggle arrangement locks the housings in the closed position.

For carrying the machine around the roof and for use in opening and closing the machine and positioning the same, a handle 34 is provided on housing 10. The handle is connected to the housing 10 by the arms 35 and 36.

The crimping and the driving rollers are carried by the respective housings l and 11 and these will next be described Disposed centrally of the housings and 11 are a pair of rollers 40 and 41 (FIGS. 1 and 4). These are the rollers which do the final crimping. The roller 40 is carried by the housing 10, while the roller 41 is carried by the housing 11. The rotational axes of the rollers are co-planar.

With reference to FIG. 5, the roller 40 is keyed to a shaft 42 rotatably mounted on the housing 10. The roller 41 is rotatably mounted on shaft 43, fixed on a carriage 44 connected to slider 45 slideably mounted on the housing 11. The sliding arrangement is noted in FIG. 14 wherein the slider 45 is mounted on the track mechanisms indicated at 46 and 47. The arrangement provides for motion of the roller 41 toward and away from the roller 40. As shown in FIG. 5, the pressure spring 50 bears on a bushing 51 mounted in the housing 11 and urges roller 41 toward roller 40.

As will be observed in FIG. 5, the seam 3 is sandwiched between the roller 40 and 41. The pressure spring 50 generates considerable force so that the crimping function of the roller is efficiently accomplished. Also, the crimping rollers 40 and 41 assist in maintaining the machine on the seam.

With particular reference to FIG. 8, the crimping roller 40 has a peripheral crimping'surface 40a and the crimping roller 41 has a peripheral crimping surface 41a. The portion 6 of the seam to be crimped is engaged between the surfaces 400 and 41a and the flange 7 is rolled down into position as noted in FIG. 2a. The V-shaped surface 40b on the roller 40 engages the track section 8 and assists in stabilizing the machine on the seam.

While we have shown the roller 41 in FIGS. 5 and 8 (wherein the housings are closed) in the crimping position, it is to be noted that for the closing operation the roller 41 is drawn back in the housing 11 away from its crimping position for reasons expressed following: Since the interfitting panel sidewalls which form the seam are partially crimped as installed, it is expedient to position the roller 40 so that it does not force the flanges into the crimping position upon closure of the housing. The amount of force necessary to close and lock the housing is therefore reduced. This is accomplished as follows:

A control rod 52 is connected to the carriage 44 and extends out through the spring 50 and the bushing 51. The rod rotatably mounts at cam 53 operated by a handle 54. In the position of the cam as shown, the cam surface 55 is spaced from the bushing 51. However, if the handle 54 is rotated downwardly to the position shown on the dotted lines, the cam surface 55 engages the bushing 51 and this pulls the carriage 44 and roller 41 to the right as noted by the dotted lines. In this position, the roller 41 will not function to crimp the seam to the extent shown in FIG. 8. The roller is locked in the out position until the handle 54 is moved upwardly so that the spring 50 can operate to force the roller inwardly.

The machine has two pair of drive rollers -61 and 62-63, respectively disposed on opposite sides of the crimping rollers 40-41. The pair 60-61 and the pair 62-63 are identical in construction and function in the same manner so the description for these rollers will be primarily in connection with the pair 60-61.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 9, the drive roller 60 has a generally cylindrically shaped crimping surface 60a and convex V-shaped drive surface 60b. The drive roller 61 has a contoured crimping surface 61a and concave V-shaped drive surface 61b.

Roller 60 (FIG. 6) is keyed to the shaft 64 rotatably mounted on the frame. The opposite roller 61 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 65 fixed on the carriage 66 connected to slider 67 which slidably mounts the roller on the housing 11 (similarly as the carriage 44 and slider 56 mounting roller 41).

The carriage 66 mounts a rod 70 which extends outwardly through the bushing 71 in the housing 11. The power spring 72 bears between the carriage 66 and the bushing 71 and biases the roller 61 in a direction toward the roller 60.

The other pair of drive rollers 62 and 63 have identical construction as noted in FIGS. 1 and 2. The drive roller 62 is mounted on shaft 73 rotatably mounted on housing 10. The drive roller 63 is rotatably mounted on shaft 74 fixed to a carriage and slider the same as the drive roller 61.

With reference to FIG. 2,the drive roller 62 has a generally cylindrically shaped crimping surface 62a and convex V-shaped drive surface 62b. Likewise, the drive roller 63 has contoured crimping surface 63a and concave V-shaped drive surface 63b. The roller 63 is biased by a power spring similarly as the roller 61.

As noted in FIGS. 2, 6 and 9, the seam 3 is sandwiched between the drive rollers. The pressure springs generate the forces necessary for the drive rollers to perform their functions as will be noted later.

As will be observed from an inspection of FIGS. 1, 10 and 11, the rotational axes of the rollers 60, 40 and 62 on the housing 10 are co-planar and the axes of the rollers 61, 41 and 63 on the housing 11 are co-planar. Also, the rotational axes of the pairs of drive and crimping rollers are co-planar.

The rollers 60, 40 and 62 on the housing 10 are arranged to be driven through a gear train G and a drive motor M (FIGS. 5 and 10). The rollers are driven in unison and at the same linear speed. The drive motor is reversible so that the rollers all rotate in one direction or in the opposite direction. This is explained below in connection with FIGS. 7, l0 and 11.

As noted in FIGS. 10, and 11, the shafts 64, 42 and 73 (which mount rollers 60, 40 and 62) carry pinions 75, 76 and 77. Between and slightly spaced from shafts 64 and 42 is the shaft 80 rotatably mounted on the housing 10. Shaft 80 carries pinion 81 which meshes with pinions and 76. Between the shaft 42 and 73 is the shaft 82, rotatably mounted on the housing 10. Shaft 82 carries the pinion 83 which meshes with the pinions 76 and 77.

On the top of the shaft 82 is mounted the drive gear 84. If the drive gear 84 is turned, the pinion 83 will turn the pinions 76 and 77 in the same direction and at the same speed. The pinion 76 will turn the pinion 81 which will turn the pinion 75 at the same speed and in the same direction as the pinions 76 and 77. Therefore, the rollers 60, 40 and 62 will turn at the same speed and in the same direction.

It may be noted here that the crimping roller 40 is driven to minimize the load on the crimping rollers due to the crimping operation and to give some assistance in the driving function.

The drive gear 84 is connected back to the motor M by a gear reduction arrangement explained below.

As noted in FIG. 7, the drive gear 84 meshes with pinion 85, keyed to the shaft 86 rotatably mounted on the housing 10. On the bottom of the shaft 86 is a gear 90 which meshes with pinion 91 keyed to the shaft 92 rotatably mounted on housing and coupled to the spindle 93 of motor M.

The machine is structured so that it is balanced about a vertical plane containing the open and close pivots 12 and 13. This vertical plane will also contain the standing seam 3 as will be apparent from the inspection of FIGS. 2 and 5. Under normal conditions, the machine will travel along with the seam in a stable or upright manner. However, the wind or other transverse loads may tend to topple the machine and for purposes of maintaining the stability, we have provided Outriggers which will engage the panels and keep the machine upright. These are explained following.

As noted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 10 has an arm 94 and the housing 11 has an arm 95. These arms are co-planar and extend outwardly and are generally normal to the direction of the movement of the machine. The arm 94 carries a roller 96 and the arm 95 carries a roller 97. As noted in FIG. 2, rollers 96 and 97 are directly above the ribs 5 and slightly spaced therefrom. If the machine tilts either to the left or right as viewed in FIG. 2, the rollers will contact one rib or the other and prevent an upset.

The invention contemplates structure which will prevent the machine from inadvertently running off the end of the seam and also which will permit the areas at the end of the seam to be seamed by the operator jogging the machine along. This structure will be explained below.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the housing 10 has arms 100 and 101 which extend over and are generally parallel to the seam 3 when the machine is attached. The arms carry the shafts 102 and 103 which are spring biased downwardly. This is noted in FIG. 12 where the spring 104 urges the shaft 102 downwardly. The shafts 102 and 103 respectively carry stop rollers 105 and 106 which are adapted to engage and run along the top of the seam 3. A control bar 110 is pivotally connected to the tops of the shafts 102 and 103. As noted in FIG. 13, the rod 110 extends through slots 111 or 112 in the standards 14 and which permit vertical motion of the rod.

Connected to the top of the standards 14 and 15 is a switch bracket 113. The bracket carries micro switches 114 and 115 having actuators 116 and 117 in contact with bar 110. The bracket 113 also carries the overload re-set switch 120 having a thumb button 121.

The micro-switches 114 and 115 and the re-set switch 120 are in the power circuit for the motor.

When the-stop rollers and 106 are on top of the seam and the control rod is in the up, or full line, position of FIG. 13, the actuators l 16 and 1 17 close the switches so the motor can draw power. When one or the other of the stop rollers 105 or 106 drops off the end of the seam as in FIG. 12, the control rod 110 drops away to the dotted line position. This allows the actuator 116 to drop down and open the switch 114 which cuts off power. The roller 106, control rod 110 and switch operate in the same manner.

When the machine stops adjacent the edge of the seam or is mounted adjacent the edge, the portion of the seam between the machine and the edge is crimped by the operator jogging the machine. This is explained following: 7

The operator places his hand over the switch bracket 113 so that the palm of the hand is on the top of the bracket and the finers extend underneath to engage and pull up on the control rod 110. This will close the power circuit to the motor.

The operator then pushes the trigger switch and power is sent to the motor M. The machine begins to move towards the edge of the seam. As the crimp rollers 40 and 41 approach the end of the seam the operator jogs or inches the machine along by rapidly moving the button 124. When the seam has been crimped by the rollers 40 and 41, the machine is reversed in direction until the roller which had previously dropped off, is over the seam. The machine can then be removed or sent traveling over the remainder of the seam to be crimped.

The electrical circuit for the machine is diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 15 where the motor M is supplied with 60-cycle, single phase, -volt power from a source connected to the terminals 122. Switches 1 14, 115 and 121 are in series with the motor. The reversing switch for the motor is indicated at 123 and the reversing circuit is integral with the motor. The normally open trigger switch 124 is in series with the switches, 114, etc.

Ordinarily, in a crimping operation, the operator walks with the machine as it progresses along the seam. In order to quickly cut off the power and stop the machine, the operator carries a hand gun which includes the trigger switch 124. A long cable connects the hand gun with the machine. The cable is noted at 125 in FIGS. 2 and 13. The conductors 126 (FIG. 15) are housed in the cable. The switch 124 is normally open but may be held in the closed position by finger pressure or by a locking mechanism on the hand gun.

Having described various of the structural details of the machine, we will comment below as to how the machine is set up on the seam and detail the manner in which the rollers function to drive and crimp.

In preparation for setting up the machine, the trigger switch 124 is put in the open position. Thus, power cannot be supplied to the motor until the trigger switch 124 is closed.

The handle 54 is moved to the down position (FIG. 5) to lock out the roller 41. The operator then grips the handles 34 and 22 and moves the handle 22 to put the housing 11 in the open position (FIG. 2). The machine is brought up to the seam so that the rollers 60, 40 and 62 butt up against the seam; i.e. the crimping surfaces 60a, 40a and 62a are fitted against the portion 6 and the V-shaped drive surfaces 60b, 40b and 62b interfit with the V-shaped track section 8. Also the machine is manipulated so that the stop rollers 105 and 106 are on top of the seams.

After the rollers 60, 40 and 62 have been positioned as mentioned above, the handle 22 is rotated to bring the housing 11 down into the closed position.

When the housing 11 is moved into the closed position, the crimping surfaces 610 and 73a of the drive rollers 61 and 63 (FIGS. 2 and 9) engage flanges 7 and bow in the same at the area of contact. This is indicated in FIG. 9 where the dotted lines 7 show the position prior to being bowed in to the position shown by the full lines. The bowing force of course is provided by the pressure springs urging the drive rollers inwardly. Furthermore, the concave drive surfaces 61b and 63b (FIGS. 2, 6 and 9) engage with the track section 8 of the seam.

The pressure springs operating on the drive rollers 61 and 63 cause the seam to be tightly gripped by the crimping and drive surfaces of the pair 60-61 and the pair 62-63.

During the closure of the housing, the crimping roller 41 being held in the lock-out condition by the handle 54 also engages the flanges 7 and slightly bows in the same at the area of contact. This is shown in FIG. 8 wherein the dotted line 41' indicates the edge of the roller 40 at the look-out position and the line 7 indicates the bowed-in position of the flanges. As soon as the housing is locked in the closed position, the handle 54 is then rotated upwardly to permit the spring 50 to function. The spring then causes the roller 41 to move to crimp the flanges 7 as indicated by the full lines in FIG. 8.

The machine is now in condition for a seaming operation.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, it will be apparent that if the machine is moving to the left as viewed in FIG. 3, the drive rollers 60 and 61 lead the crimping rollers 40 and 41. As the drive rollers continue to move they, of course, contact the portion 6 of the seam and continue to partially crimp. The partially crimped seam is subsequently engaged by the crimping rollers 40 and 41 which then finish crimp the seam as indicated by the full lines in FIG. 8.

If the machine is moving to the right as viewed in FIG. 3, the rollers 62 and 63 lead the crimping rollers and operate as described above.

It is preferred that the drive rollers 60 and the drive rollers 62 be rubber covered in order to increase the frictional grip with the seam. This prevents slippage and enhances uniform positive drive.

The usual crimping operation involves mounting the machine on the seam adjacent the ridge or the eave. The portion of the seam between the seam and the eave (or ridge) is then crimped by jogging as explained heretofore. After that the machine is reversed and set in motion for finishing the crimping operation.

The reversible drive and ability to mount the machine at any position produces considerable saving in time for the crimping operation. When the operation starts at the eave and ends up at the ridge, the next seam is crimped simply by transferring the machine and starting at the ridge and going down to the eave. The next seam is crimped by starting at the eave and going up to the ridge, etc.

Before closing, it is pointed out that the pressure springs, in addition to developing roller crimping and holding forces, perform an additional function of providing relief for changes in seam thickness which may occur in the area of the seam having a hold-down clip.

We claim:

1. A self-propelled, reversible machine to be mounted on a track section of a standing seam and finish crimp a partially crimped section of the seam, the machine comprising:

first and second housings;

means connecting the housings and providing for the same to be relatively rotatable toward and away from one another as between closed and open positions, in the closed position the machine being mounted on the seam and in the open position the machine being removable from the seam and also positionable on the seam;

a pair of crimping rollers each having a crimping surface;

means rotatably mounting the crimping rollers respectively on the first and second housings so that when the housings are in closed position the crimping surfaces of the crimping rollers engage therebetween the portion of the seam to be crimped, the engagement being for use in the crimping surfaces finish crimping said portion when the machine is moving along the seam in one direction or in the opposite direction;

a first pair of drive rollers each having a drive surface and a crimping surface;

means rotatably mounting the first drive rollers respectively on the first and second housings at one side of said crimping rollers and so that when the housings are in the closed position, the drive surfaces of the first drive rollers engage therebetween track portions of the seam, the engagement being for use in holding the machine along the seam and for use in driving the machine along the seam further in the closed position the crimping surfaces of the first drive rollers engage therebetween the partially crimped portions of the seam, last said engagement being for use when the machine is moving along the seam in said one direction to further partially crimp the partially crimped portions of the seam prior to the same being finish crimped by the crimping rollers;

a second pair of drive rollers each having a drive surface and a crimping surface; means rotatably mounting the second drive rollers respectively on the first and second housing at the opposite side of said crimping rollers so that when the housings are in the closed position the drive surfaces of the second drive rollers engage therebetween track portions of the scam, the engagement being for use in holding the machine on the seam and for use in driving the machine along the seam and further in the closed position the crimping surfaces on the second drive rollers engage therebetween the partially crimped portions of the seam, last said engagement being for use when the machine is moving along the seam in said opposite direction to further partially crimp the partially crimped portions of i the seam prior to the same being finished crimped by the crimping rollers;

each mounting means for each roller on the second housing including a spring interconnected between the rollers and the second housing and operable during the crimping operation to urge the roller toward the other roller of the pair on the first housing; and

reversible drive means connected to the rollers on the first housing for rotating the rollers at the same linear speed and in said one direction or alternatively in said opposite direction.

2. A construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said reversible drive means includes a reversible motor and a gear train between the motor and each of the rollers on the first housing.

3. A construction in accordance with claim 1 further including an outrigger shaft on the first housing and an outrigger shaft on the second housing, each shaft extending generally normal to the direction of movement of the machine along the seam and roller means on each outrigger shaft for use in contacting a panel being crimped and maintaining the machine in generally upright position.

4. A construction in accordance with claim 1 where said means connecting the housings includes a control link having a pivotal connection to the first housing, a drive link having a pivotal connection tothe second housing and a pivotal connection to the control link, handle means connected to the control link to rotate the same, rotation of the control link in one direction causing the drive link to rotate the second housing away from the first housing to open position and rotation of the control link in the opposite direction causing the drive link to rotate the second housing toward the first housing to closed position and in the closed position the pivot connection between the control and drive links being offset from said pivotal connections to the housings whereby to lock the second housing in closed position.

5. A construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein the means mounting drive roller on the second housing includes a carriage mounting the roller and said spring is connected between the carriage and the second housing and further including a control rod connected to the carriage, a cam rotatably mounted on the control rod and rotatable to a lock position wherein the rod and the carriage are moved against the force of the spring so that the drive roller is substantially spaced away from the drive roller on the first housing or alternatively the cam being rotatable to a position wherein the spring performs its function of urging the drive roller toward the drive roller on the first housing.

6. A self-propelled, reversible machine to be mounted on a track section of a standing seam and tinish crimp a partially crimped section of the seam, the machine comprising:

first and second housings;

means connecting the housings and providing for the same to be relatively rotatable toward and away from one another as between closed and open positions, in the closed position the machine being mounted on the seam and in the open position the machine being removable from the seam and also positionable on the seam;

a pair of crimping rollers each having a crimping surface and being respectively mounted on the first and second housings so that when the housings are in closed position the crimping surfaces of the crimping rollers engage therebetween the portion of the seam to be crimped;

a first pair of drive rollers each having a drive surface and a crimping surface and being respectively mounted on the first and second'housings at one side of said crimping rollers and so that when the housings are in the closed position, the drive surfaces of the first drive rollers engage therebetween track portions of the seam;

a second pair of drive rollers each having a drive surface and a crimping surface and being respectively mounted on the first and second housings at the opposite side of said crimping rollers so that when the housings are in the closed position the drive surfaces of the second drive rollers engage therebetween track portions of the seam;

each mounting means for each roller on the second housing including a spring interconnected between the roller and the second housing and operable during the crimping operation to urge the roller toward the other roller of the pair on the first housing; and

reversible drive means connected to the rollers on the first housing for rotating the rollers at the same linear speed and in said one direction or alternatively in said opposite direction.

7. A construction in accordance with claim 6 further including mechanism on opposite sides of the machine for use respectively in contacting a panel being crimped and maintaining the machine in generally upright position.

termined distance from the end of the seam. 

1. A self-propelled, reversible machine to be mounted on a track section of a standing seam and finish crimp a partially crimped section of the seam, the machine comprising: first and second housings; means connecting the housings and providing for the same to be relatively rotatable toward and away from one another as between closed and open positions, in the closed position the machine being mounted on the seam and in the open position the machine being removable from the seam and also positionable on the seam; a pair of crimping rollers each having a crimping surface; means rotatably mounting the crimping rollers respectively on the first and second housings so that when the housings are in closed position the crimping surfaces of the crimping rollers engage therebetween the portion of the seam to be crimped, the engagement being for use in the crimping surfaces finish crimping said portion when the machine is moving along the seam in one direction or in the opposite direction; a first pair of drive rollers each having a drive surface and a crimping surface; means rotatably mounting the first drive rollers respectively on the first and second housings at one side of said crimping rollers and so that when the housings are in the closed position, the drive surfaces of the first drive rollers engage therebetween track portions of the seam, the engagement being for use in holding the machine along the seam and for use in driving the machine along the seam further in the closed position the crimping surfaces of the first drive rollers engage therebetween the partially crimped portions of the seam, last said engagement being for use when the machine is moving along the seam in said one direction to further partially crimp the partially crimped portions of the seam prior to the same being finish crimped by the crimping rollers; a second pair of drive rollers each having a drive surface and a crimping surface; means rotatably mounting the second drive rollers respectively on the first and second housing at the opposite side of said crimping rollers so that when the housings are in the closed position the drive surfaces of the second drive rollers engage therebetween track portions of the seam, the engagement being for use in holding the machine on the seam and for use in driving the machine along the seam and further in the closed position the crimping surfaces on the second drive rollers engage therebetween the partially crimped portions of the seam, last said engagement being for use when the machine is moving along the seam in said opposite direction to further partially crimp the partially crimped portions of the seam prior to the same being finished crimped by the crimping rollers; each mounting means for each roller on the second housing including a spring interconnected between the rollers and the second housing and operable during the crimping operation to urge the roller toward the other roller of the pair on the first housing; and reversible drive means connected to the rollers on the first housing for rotating the rollers at the same linear speed and in said one direction or alternatively in said opposite direction.
 2. A construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said reversible drive means includes a reversible motor and a gear train between the motor and each of the rollers on the first housing.
 3. A construction in accordance with claim 1 furtheR including an outrigger shaft on the first housing and an outrigger shaft on the second housing, each shaft extending generally normal to the direction of movement of the machine along the seam and roller means on each outrigger shaft for use in contacting a panel being crimped and maintaining the machine in generally upright position.
 4. A construction in accordance with claim 1 where said means connecting the housings includes a control link having a pivotal connection to the first housing, a drive link having a pivotal connection to the second housing and a pivotal connection to the control link, handle means connected to the control link to rotate the same, rotation of the control link in one direction causing the drive link to rotate the second housing away from the first housing to open position and rotation of the control link in the opposite direction causing the drive link to rotate the second housing toward the first housing to closed position and in the closed position the pivot connection between the control and drive links being offset from said pivotal connections to the housings whereby to lock the second housing in closed position.
 5. A construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein the means mounting drive roller on the second housing includes a carriage mounting the roller and said spring is connected between the carriage and the second housing and further including a control rod connected to the carriage, a cam rotatably mounted on the control rod and rotatable to a lock position wherein the rod and the carriage are moved against the force of the spring so that the drive roller is substantially spaced away from the drive roller on the first housing or alternatively the cam being rotatable to a position wherein the spring performs its function of urging the drive roller toward the drive roller on the first housing.
 6. A self-propelled, reversible machine to be mounted on a track section of a standing seam and finish crimp a partially crimped section of the seam, the machine comprising: first and second housings; means connecting the housings and providing for the same to be relatively rotatable toward and away from one another as between closed and open positions, in the closed position the machine being mounted on the seam and in the open position the machine being removable from the seam and also positionable on the seam; a pair of crimping rollers each having a crimping surface and being respectively mounted on the first and second housings so that when the housings are in closed position the crimping surfaces of the crimping rollers engage therebetween the portion of the seam to be crimped; a first pair of drive rollers each having a drive surface and a crimping surface and being respectively mounted on the first and second housings at one side of said crimping rollers and so that when the housings are in the closed position, the drive surfaces of the first drive rollers engage therebetween track portions of the seam; a second pair of drive rollers each having a drive surface and a crimping surface and being respectively mounted on the first and second housings at the opposite side of said crimping rollers so that when the housings are in the closed position the drive surfaces of the second drive rollers engage therebetween track portions of the seam; each mounting means for each roller on the second housing including a spring interconnected between the roller and the second housing and operable during the crimping operation to urge the roller toward the other roller of the pair on the first housing; and reversible drive means connected to the rollers on the first housing for rotating the rollers at the same linear speed and in said one direction or alternatively in said opposite direction.
 7. A construction in accordance with claim 6 further including mechanism on opposite sides of the machine for use respectively in contacting a panel being crimped and maintaining the machine in generally Upright position.
 8. A construction in accordance with claim 6 further including means respectively connected on opposite sides of said housing and extending horizontally outward above the seam when the machine is mounted thereon and each including mechanism to stop the travel of the machine when the same reaches a predetermined distance from the end of the seam. 